FA chairman Greg Dyke hails Roy Hodgson achievement
Friday 1 January 2016 16:39, UK
FA chairman Greg Dyke has paid tribute to England manager Roy Hodgson on the 40th anniversary of his entry into football management.
After a brief playing career which saw him play non-league football, Hodgson completed his coaching training at the age of 23 and on January 1 1976 took his first dugout job at Swedish club Halmstad, where he spent four years.
His first job in England was at Bristol City before spending 15 years out of the country in Norway and with the Swiss national side before taking charge of Inter Milan.
He returned to manage Blackburn in 1997, but was there for just over a year before returning abroad with clubs such as Grasshoppers and Udinese.
A successful spell with Fulham between 2007 and 2010 saw him earn a move to Liverpool, but a turbulent six months saw him leave Anfield in January 2011.
He was back in management a month later at West Brom and steered the Baggies to 10th - their highest league position since 1981 - but left just over a year later to take over as England coach, where he is currently planning England's Euro 2016 campaign, his third major championship with the national team.
And Dyke said Hodgson deserves huge respect for his longevity in the game.
"What a fantastic achievement - 40 years coaching at the level he has puts him up there with the great English coaches, much revered people like Sir Bobby Robson, Dave Sexton and Don Howe," he told the FA website.
"I am constantly amazed by supporters' reaction to Roy if you go to a game with him. He is genuinely liked.
"It is fascinating; wherever we travel people from different countries seek out Roy to share an experience they had of watching one of his sides, or talking to him about a player he once would have managed, or a coach that he knew. He's probably done more for The FA's international relations than anyone!
"According to the record books he started in Sweden in 1976 and here is about to take England to the European Finals in 2016, still inspiring and encouraging young players - good young English players.
"Roy is a great example to any aspiring coach that being open to new experiences and cultures can really develop you as a person. His CV is quite remarkable and it is hard to think of another coach of his stature that has been prepared to learn and grow the way he has.
"We're very proud that, as England manager, Roy celebrates 40 years of coaching at the highest levels of our game. Long may it continue."
